Torsion-spring tension regulator



Oct. 16, 1923. 1,470,971 E. E. .HEINTZ TORSION SPRING TENSION REGULATOR Fil ed Nov. 1922 2 Shasta-Sheet 1 E. E. HEINTZ TORSION SPRING TENSION REGULATOR Oct. 16, 1923; 1,470,977

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To aZZQwh-qntit may concern: f

of lyfichigan; have invented certain new and useful lmp'rovei'nents Torsion Spring Tension Regulators, of which the following counterbalancing' spring. maybe regulated to be nicely adjusted to-the, weight of the 1 is a specification. p I I V This invention relates to tension regulators for torsion springs and has for its ob-- ject a very simple device which holds the spindle in any one of an infinite number'of varying positions of tension; Its chief recommendation. is that any degree of tension may be attained and its simplicitymakes its costonly nominal.

The device was originally invented forthe purpose of governing the tensioning of a counter-balancing spring of a window regu-v lator, but it will be apparent that it "has a wide applicability and" it can be usedjon curtain rollers and any other placewhere a torsion spring and a spindle is used;

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a novel form" of window regulator on which the'tension.

regulating deviceis used. a

Fig. 2' is a horizontalsection of the barrel i he immed ately discontinued or else the or drum on which "the cable winds.

V V Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive,jare.crossisections. talrenonthe' similarly numbered section lines of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is No claim is made 0 provided with a connection d with the lower rail 6 of the vertically sliding window f. The upper end of the cable winds at 9 over a drum or barrel h; the two ends of a tion of the cable unwinds and the other tends to make the turning effort in either direction nearly equal. In the type of window regulator here shown the counterbala detail of one end of the drum-5 supporting bracket, showing the tension regulating spring. Y I

for the regulator in this f. applications It maybe described in generali terms as a frame a, on which is supported.

ancing'spring k is very similar to a curtain rollerfspring, infect, the drum h is q'uiteilike v a'curtain-roller. 1' The sprin-g at one end iss,

anehore-das-at m on the spindle n, and at theother end anch-oredas at o iinrthedrum,

New obviously, altering the angularposition offthe spindle n, the tensioning'of the glass. This is desirable in window regula tor. construction.

YThisIaccomplish by an unusally expedient." The bracket 39 and 19 supports the spindle rotatably; over one end of the spindle "I-fit the coiled spring gthe coils;

chored in asuitable perforation in the bracket 3) and the other end sis free, When itfis desiredto" lessen the tension on the counterbalancing spring,'a tool t is'pressed' against the free end 8 of the spring to slight- 1y open the coils. This permits the spindle to turn in the'fcoils under "the turning eflort f of the couiiterbajlancing spring. This im-' 9 mediately relieves the tension.v .Only'a' slight effort is necessary on the tool to start the release or the tension, and of course 'must terbalancing spring one simply's'eizes'th'e end of the spindle with a pair of pliers'or other suitable tool and turns it' counter- '-clockwise as shown by the arrow inFig; 7

This turning effort in itself tends to open .up thecoilsin the spring 9 and'he'nce re: I leases'the grip during the winding, up oper v ation. Assoon as this turning effort is re leased the counterbalancing spring exercises a turning effort in the opposite direction,

which tends to close the coils of the spring 5 prevents any slippage. 4 1

*VVhat I claim is: a I f1 1. In a device of the'kind specified,-the

combination of a torsion spring and a cylin-j drically surfaced anchor forfone end of the torsion spring, said anchor [supported for f angul'ar movement when released and a tenspring, engaging the. cylindrical surface fort of the torsion spring tends tocause the g andgrips tightly about the spindle This s I the cable being fastenedat y and ion the, I

barrel so that-as thebarrel rotates one per- 10b 7 thereof and arranged so that the turningef- 7 sion regulator therefor, comprisingacoiled v coils to grip said surface and preventthe i turning f the anchor, but which permits turning efi'ort exercised directly on the anchor for the purpose of increasing the ten sion on the torsion spring to releasethe grip of the coil spring and permit such angular movement. f

2. In a device for the purpose specified,

the combination of'a torsion spring and an anchor for one end thereof mounted to turn when released, and a coiled spring arranged togrlp sald anchor when turning Bfi OIt IS exercised: on the I anchor by the torsion spring, but permitting turning movement exercised directly on the: anchor to increase the tension of the, coiled spring;

'In'fa tension device for the purpose specified; the combination of a torsion spring, a spindle 'to one end ot-whiCh said spring is anchored, and a coiled spring having one end anchored and said spring coiled about the spindle tightly so that turning eflort,

exercised on the spindle through the tension spring tends to holdthe spindle in a given position of adjustment, while'the adjustment may be altered to a increase the torsion spring tension by simply turning the spindle and may be altered to lessen the tension on the torsion spring by opening ,up the'coils of the sprin ERNEST EQHEINTZ-zy 7 In testimony whereof I aflix signature; a 

